Orthodontic toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush and method of manufacture thereof is provided wherein the toothbrush has a neck, which is angled and longitudinally flexible with respect to the head and the handle. The flexible nature of the toothbrush is especially beneficial when used by wearers of various orthodontic devices such as braces

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to toothbrushes, andspecifically to toothbrushes for use by wearers of various orthodonticdevices such as braces.

[0002] Considerable difficulty has been encountered by wearers oforthodontic devices in keeping the teeth clean and free from plaque bybrushing with conventional toothbrushes. It is difficult to apply enoughpressure to overcome the impeding effect of the braces without injuringthe gums and to obtain thorough access to all of the exposed toothsurfaces with the conventional toothbrush bristles. Sufficient pressuremust be applied to the bristles so as to reach behind the braceelements. Furthermore, the presence of braces require a back and forthbrushing motion which creates undue pressure, thus tending to result inpyorrhea. A toothbrush which meets the above-noted challenges is shownand described in Pavone, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,560.

[0003] Pavone, et al. brings forth a toothbrush containing an elongatedhandle, a neck and a head having a bristle design and pattern whichpromotes effective brushing of the teeth while minimizing damage to thegums and allows for effective brushing action on all of the toothsurfaces despite the presence of orthodontic devices. The Pavone, et al.toothbrush bristles are designed so that the outermost rows arerelatively soft and of long length, the bristles in the patterngradually shortening in length and becoming stiffer, with the shortestand stiffest bristles being positioned along the center rows of thebrush's longitudinal centerline axis. Also, the center rows of bristlesare formed to be angled at their ends to reduce the pressure required todeflect the bristles beneath the brace elements thus reducing unduepressure against the gums. Furthermore, a flexible member compressiblysupports the center rows of bristles. This reduced pressure avoids thetendency to develop pyorrhea disease.

[0004] The Pavone, et al. toothbrush also includes an outer bumperprotectively surrounding the toothbrush head and a lower tuft ofbristles projecting from the lower portion of the handle. Therefore, thePavone, et al. toothbrush protects the user's gums but also protects theorthodontic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an improvement to the Pavone, etal. toothbrush wherein the toothbrush has a neck which is angled andlongitudinally flexible with respect to the head and the handle. Thetoothbrush of the present invention can be utilized with conventionaltoothbrushes or to maximize its value it can be utilized as a toothbrushmade along the lines of that disclosed in the aforementioned Pavone, etal. patent.

[0006] The above and other noted features of the present invention arefurther explained by a review of the accompanying detailed descriptionand accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The objects an d features of the invention will become apparentfrom a reading of a detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 depicts the toothbrush of the present invention in relationto an orthodontic device and tooth;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view showing the preferred embodimentof a toothbrush arranged in accordance with the principles of theinvention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the toothbrush head taken fromFIG. 2 showing a first embodiment flexible member;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment taken along line 5—5of FIG. 4;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the toothbrush head taken fromFIG. 2, showing an alternative embodiment flexible member;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

[0015]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a third embodiment flexible memberalso taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush made accordingto the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of atoothbrush according to the present invention in an alternate preferredembodiment illustrating a portion of the handle, the neck and the head.

[0018]FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.10.

[0019]FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 10 of an alternatepreferred embodiment toothbrush according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 13 is a top elevational view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.12.

[0021]FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 10, being a sectionalview of still another alternate preferred embodiment toothbrushaccording to the present invention.

[0022]FIGS. 15 and 16 are sectional views illustrating the operation offabricating a toothbrush as shown in FIG. 14 with certain items beingdistorted for purposes of illustration.

[0023]FIG. 17 is a view similar to that of FIG. 15 illustratingfabrication operation for manufacturing a toothbrush as shown in FIG. 9with certain items being distorted for purposes of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIGS. 2-5 show a toothbrush 10 arranged in accordance with theprinciples of the Pavone, et al. patent. The toothbrush 10 is usedprimarily for brushing teeth 11 with orthodontic devices such as braces12; this is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the toothbrush 10consists of an elongated handle 13, a neck portion 14, and a head 15positioned thereabove. The head 15 and the neck 14 are preferably angledinward from the handle 13. This allows for easy access to the inside ofthe teeth 11.

[0025] As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the head 15 has an inside surface 22and an outside surface 20, both of which are peripherally surrounded andconnected by a sidewall 24. The toothbrush 10 is preferably molded froma polymeric material. Tufts 16 containing a plurality of bristles 18 aremolded within the head 15 and project outwardly from the inside surface22. The bristles 18 are preferably of a nylon material. The tufts 16 ofbristles 18 are arranged in a series of rows, thus forming a patternupon the inside surface 22. The length of the individual bristles 18gradually vary from a maximum at the outermost rows 18 a to a minimumlength at the medial rows 18 b centrally located therein.Coincidentally, the bristle 18 stiffness is selected to be at a minimumat the outermost rows 18 a and gradually increase in stiffness to amaximum toward the center rows 18 b. The outer bristles 18 a contactwith the tooth surface 11 above and below the orthodontic device 12, aswell as penetrate the spaces between these devices 12. The shorter andstiffer bristles 18 b may become forced into relatively firm pressureagainst the tooth surfaces overlain by these braces 12. As depicted inFIG. 5, the central two rows of bristles 18 b have an angled portion 19permanently formed inward toward the longitudinal axis or centerline ofthe toothbrush 10. The base of these central bristles 18 b extendsperpendicularly from a plane normal to the inside surface 22 of thetoothbrush head 15 and the inwardly angled portion 19 begins at a pointat least halfway up the bristle. This configuration makes it much easierto deflect the tips of the bristles 18 b beneath the brace elements 12by the application of relatively moderate pressure against the toothsurface 11.

[0026] The outermost bristles 18 a are mounted perpendicular to a plane23 (FIG. 3) substantially parallel to the inside head surface 22 and arenot angled outward as has been shown in various other patents such as:U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,424, “Toothbrush”, to Olson; U.S. Pat. No.1,901,646, “Toothbrush”, to Hicks; U.S. Pat. No. 1,642,465, “Tooth AndMassage Brush”, to Sheetz; U.S. Pat. No. 890,143, “Brush For CleaningArtificial Sets of Teeth”, to Kuzzer; French No. 1,100,290 to Guzman;and, French 1,057,279 to Grignon. An end plane 50 created by the ends 48of the outermost bristles is substantially parallel to the plane 23 whenobserved in the side view, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] A flexible member 26 comprises a synthetic elastomeric materialwhich retains the centrally located bristles 18 b is preferably mountedto the inside surface 22. Flexible member 26 is shown in FIG. 5. Theflexible member 26 is comprised of a top surface 28 and a bottom surface30, both of which are longitudinally bordered and connected by sidewalls32. The ends of the flexible member 26 are open until located within thehead 15. This flexible member 26 serves to form an air pocket 34therewithin. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this flexible member 26 containsa plurality of holes 36 within its top surface 28. This allows the air34 to be compressibly released when the central bristles 18 b arecompressed toward the inside surface 22 of the toothbrush head 15.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a flexible member 44 is shown. Theflexible member 44 is envisioned to be a solid block of spongy material.This material may have voids or air bubbles therewithin. The flexiblemember 44 has a top surface 46 from which the center rows of bristles 18b extend. The flexible member 44 is bounded by toothbrush head insidewalls 52 and is supported by an inside lower wall 51.

[0029]FIG. 8 depicts a flexible member 44 whereby a central portion ofthe head's outside surface 20 is removed therefrom to form an opening.Thus, a bottom surface 48 of the flexible member 44 is visible. Ledges53 are formed around the opening and are integral with the head's outersurface 20; these ledges 53 serve to support the outermost portions ofthe flexible member 44 when the flexible member 44 is compressed.Additionally, a transparent polymeric material can be inserted into thiscentral opening to form a transparent window 54.

[0030] As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toothbrush also incorporates abumper 38 comprising a synthetic elastomeric material which encapsulatesa portion of the toothbrush head 15. The bumper 38 preferably has across sectional U-shape with a center portion 40 therein, and havingoutboard return flange portions 42 thereupon. The center portion 40 isattached to the side wall 24 and the bumper return flanges 42 areattached to the outermost edges of the inside surface 22 and the outsidesurface 20. The bumper 38 serves to protect the orthodontic devices 12during normal brushing of the teeth.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, another feature of the toothbrushencompasses a lower bristle tuft 46 molded within the lower end 44 ofthe toothbrush handle 13. These bristles 46 can be used to brush intooth crevices behind the orthodontic devices 12. The lower bristles 46are preferably molded from the same material as the bristles 18 in thehead 15.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, a toothbrush 110, according to the presentinvention has a head 115. The head 115 may be identical to theaforementioned head 15 or can be a head of a conventional toothbrush.The head 115 is generally rigid in its longitudinal direction ofextension. The head 115 has bristles 148 which extend in a generallydownward direction as shown in FIG. 9.

[0033] The toothbrush 110 has a neck 114. The neck is flexibly connectedwith the head 115 along arrows 117. The neck 114 angularly extends fromthe head 115 in a direction generally opposite a direction of extensionof the bristles 148. A handle 113 is provided. The handle is connectedneck 114. The handle 113 is generally rigid in its longitudinaldirection of extension. The handle 113 is longitudinally flexiblyconnected with the neck 114. The handle is provided to allow a teethcleaning user to manipulate the toothbrush 110 within their oral cavity.The neck 114 is flexible with respect to the head 113 in thelongitudinal direction along arrows 119. The toothbrush 110 willtypically be connected from a polymeric material. The head 115 and thehandle 113 as shown in FIG. 9 extend in planes generally parallel to oneanother.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a toothbrush 157 is provided.Toothbrush 157 has a handle 158. Connected to the handle 158 is a neck160. The neck 160 is connected to a head 162. The neck 160 has on itsupper surface 164 and its lower surface 166 a series of grooves 168. Thegrooves 168 are generally transverse a direction of extension of theneck 160. The grooves 168 add flexure to the neck 160.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a toothbrush 187 is provided. Thetoothbrush 187 has a handle 188 which is similar to handle 158. Thehandle 188 is connected with a neck 190. The neck 190 is connected witha head 192. The neck 190 has a series of longitudinal grooves orcut-outs 194. The grooves 194 may be provided in a molding operation ormay be cut-out from the toothbrush after the material fabricating thetoothbrush has formed a permanent set.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 14, a toothbrush 207 is shown. Toothbrush 207has a head 208. Flexibly connected to the head 208 is a neck 210. Thetoothbrush 207 has a handle 212 flexibly connected to the neck 210. Thehandle 212 has a stiffener 214. The stiffener 214 can be made from agenerally rigid solid or hollow member which is fabricated from apolymeric material, wood or other cellulosic materials. In a similarfashion, the neck has a stiffener 216 and the head has a stiffener 218.The stiffeners are encased in a polymeric material 220 which not onlyprovides an outer form for the toothbrush 207 but also performs anadhesive function of connecting the stiffeners 212, 216 and 218together. The polymeric material 220 can be a nature or syntheticelastomeric material. Depending upon the properties of the material 220,and exterior of the toothbrush 207 can be covered with a thin sheet ofplastic material 222 which is selected to give color and finishqualities which are most desirable.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a molding process for fabricating atoothbrush 207 is shown. A mold 229 is provided having an upper half 230and a lower half 232. The mold has an upper injector 234 which is fittedmaterial from a tank 236 containing plastic material 222. The injector234 is also associated with a blower 238 utilized for injectingpressurized air into the mold cavity 240 when the mold halves are closed(FIG. 16). Stiffeners 214, 216 and 218 are placed within the moldchamber and are positioned by appropriate fixtures 242. Upon closure ofthe mold halves 230 and 232 together, plastic material 222 will beinserted into the mold cavity 240 by the injector 234. Injector 234 willalso deliver pressurized air provided by blower 238 into the moldchamber 240 causing the plastic material 222 to form a lining or outercoating for the toothbrush. After an appropriate cure period, whereinafter the molds halves 230 and 232 can be appropriately heated orcooled, an injector 244 will inject into the mold the plastic material220 which is held in a tank 246. Again, after an appropriate cure time,the toothbrush head 208, neck 210 and handle 207 will be formed and thenremoved from the mold halves 230, 232 which are then separated from oneanother.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 17, a mold 330 is provided to form a toothbrush which is fabricated from two polymeric materials having varyingflexure modulus. The first plastic material 332 which is generally rigidis contained within a tank 334. Tank 334 is connected by a line 336 witha toothbrush handle injector 338. Tank 334 is connected with a line 340which is also connected with a head injector 342 and neck injectors 344and 346. A plastic material 350 is provided in a tank 352. Tank 352 byline 354 is connected with an injector 356. Tank 352 by line 358 isconnected with an injector 360. The mold 330 has an upper half 362 and alower half 364 which are brought together. The upper half of the mold330 has a line 366 connected with a blower 368. In operation the moldhalves 362 and 364 are brought together forming a mold chamber 370. Acontroller (not shown) is utilized to control and sequence the injectors338, 346, 356, 360, 344, 342. The controller also turns on the blower368 to pressurize the mold cavity 370 via the line 366. The controllerwill then cause the injectors 338 and 342 either simultaneously orsequentially to inject the material 332 to form a handle 113 and a head115. The pressurization provided by line 366 prevents the high flexuremodulus material from invading the neck portion of the mold chamber 370.The controller will also subsequently cause injectors 346, 356, 360 and344 to form an initial blend of materials from materials 332 and 350.Initially the blend will be mainly from the high modulus material 332,however, subsequently the controller will cause the blend to begradually switched to an almost 100% blend of the material 350. Theresult will be that a middle portion of the neck 114 will be the mostflexible with the outer portions of the neck progressively being morerigid. Since the materials 332 and 350 are both thermoplastic resins theblend will help prevent delamination between two dissimilar materials toprevent the formation of a mold interface between the materials. Thetoothbrush 110 can then be taken from the mold and in a differentembodiment (not shown) the toothbrush 110 can be provided with an outercoating in a process similar to that aforedescribed and referenced toFIGS. 15 and 16.

[0039] It will be appreciated that the toothbrush of the presentinvention represents a significant improvement for brushing of teethhaving attached orthodontic devices. While a number of specificembodiments of this toothbrush have been disclosed, it will beappreciated that various modifications may be made to this toothbrushwithout departing from the present invention.

I claim:
 1. A toothbrush comprising a head generally rigid in itslongitudinal direction of extension, said head having bristles extendingtherefrom; a neck angularly connected with said head; and a handleconnected with said neck, said handle providing for manipulation of saidtoothbrush by a teeth cleaning user, said handle being generally rigidin its longitudinal direction of extension; and wherein said neck has aflexible with respect to said handle along its longitudinal axis.
 2. Atoothbrush as described in claim 1, wherein said neck extends from saidhead in a direction generally opposite a direction of extension of saidbristles.
 3. A toothbrush as described in claim 1 wherein said neck isflexible with respect to said head in said longitudinal direction.
 4. Atoothbrush as described in claim 1 wherein said head and neck extend inplanes generally parallel to one another.
 5. A toothbrush as describedin claim 1 wherein said toothbrush is fabricated from polymeric materialhaving variable flexure modules.
 6. A toothbrush as described in claim 1wherein said toothbrush is made from a polymeric material which isgenerally flexible and wherein said head and said handle have stiffenersadded thereto.
 7. A toothbrush as described in claim 1 wherein said neckis grooved to provide flexibility.
 8. A toothbrush as described in claim6 wherein said grooves are generally transverse a direction of extensionof said neck.
 9. A toothbrush as described in claim 6 wherein saidgrooves are generally longitudinally along a direction of extension ofsaid neck.
 10. A toothbrush as described in claim 1 wherein saidtoothbrush is fabricated from a multi-injection variable flexure modulesplastic material.
 11. A toothbrush comprising: a generally rigidelongated handle; an angled neck extending from said elongated handleand being longitudinally flexibly connected with respect to said handle;a generally rigid head portion longitudinally flexibly connected to saidangled neck opposite from said elongated handle and having alongitudinally oriented centerline thereof, said head portion having aninside and an outside surface both of which are peripherally bordered bya sidewall therearound; a plurality of tufts having a plurality ofbristles therein, said plurality of bristles being arranged in a patternprojecting transversely from said inside surface of said head portion,said pattern of said plurality of bristles having outside rows andmedial rows extending along said center line, said pattern comprising acontinuously decreasing length of bristle from an outermost located ofsaid plurality of bristles to a shortest of said plurality of bristleslocated closest to said centerline of said head portion; said pluralityof bristles also gradually varying in stiffness from a minimum stiffnessat the outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a maximumstiffness located at the plurality of bristles located closest to thecenterline of said plurality of bristles in said pattern; said pluralityof bristles in said outside rows being substantially straight alongtheir entire length and projecting perpendicular from a planesubstantially parallel to said inside surface of said head portion, saidmedial rows having lower bristle portions thereupon, said lower bristleportions projecting generally perpendicular from a plane substantiallyparallel to said inside surface, said medial rows having top portionsthereupon, said top portions being angled inward toward said centerlineof said head portion; and said outermost located of said plurality ofbristles having end portions thereupon thereby creating an end plane,said end plane being substantially parallel to said inside surface. 12.A method of manufacturing a toothbrush wherein said toothbrush has ahead generally rigid in its longitudinal extension, said head havingbristles extending therefrom; a neck connected with the head andgenerally angled therefrom in the direction generally opposite adirection of extension of said bristles; a handle connected with saidneck, the handle providing for manipulation by a tooth cleaning user,said handle being generally rigid in its length of extension and wherethe neck is at least flexibly connected along its longitudinal axis thehead or the handle, said method of manufacturing comprising: forming amold chamber which includes a head, neck and handle; placing into saidmold chamber a material to at least partially form a rigid head; placinginto said mode a material for at least partially forming a rigid handle;and injecting into said mold chamber a material for at least partiallyforming a neck having longitudinal flexure with said head and/or saidhandle.
 13. A method as described in claim 12 further comprising coatingsaid toothbrush formed within said mold chamber with an outer cover. 14.A method as described in claim 12 further comprising placing into saidmold chamber a rigid core for said head and placing into said mold arigid core for said handle and injecting into said mold a polymermaterial forming said neck.
 15. A method as described in claim 14additionally comprising placing a core for said neck and injecting intosaid mold a material for connecting said neck to said head and to saidhandle.
 16. A method as described in claim 12 further includinginjecting into said mold a material forming a generally rigid head,injecting into said mold a material forming a generally rigid handle;and injecting into said mold a blend of materials having various flexuremodules to form said neck and wherein a middle portion of said neck isinjected into said mold with a greater degree of material adding moreflexure thereto.